Electric-arc lamp.



No. 655,266. Patented Aug. 7, |900. J. S. NUWOTNY.

ELECTRIC ARC LAMP.

(Applicaeian med July 12, 189s.)

(No Model.)

/NVENTH .lllllturtllllllllllraf e,...

fililiilllllllillaf till-i.

TH: Nonrus PErzns co, wow-ammo.. WASHINGTON. D, c.

Y surrounding the carbons being` broken away a seat C2, the bottom of the globe O setting on rares 'Nrrnn .iol-1N s. NoworNY, or

MADISONVILLE, OIIIO.

unterste-ARC LAMP.

SECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 655,266, dated August 7, 1900.

v Application led JulyrlZ, 1898. Serial No. 685,792, (N model-l To al whom, t may concern:

Be it known that l, JOHN S. NoworNY, a citizen'of the United States, and a resident of the town of Madisonville, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-Arc Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

The several features of my invention and the various advantages resulting from their use conjointly or otherwise will be apparent from the following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, Figure l represents a side elevation Vof a lamp embodying` my invention, the inner and outer globes of glass to reveal the construction of Vthe parts respectively located within them. Fig. 2 is in general a vertical central section of this lamp, certain parts being left in elevation, as will be readily understood by those accustomed to read drawings. Fig. 3 represents a vertical central section of a middle portion of the lamp, the carbons being omitted. This section is taken in a plane at right angles to the plane in which the sectional view, Fig. 2, is taken and on a slightly-larger scale than that of Fig. 2. Fig. i represents, on an enlarged scale, a longitudinal central section of the elastic holder for holding the upper carbon, the upper end of the latter being shown in the holder and being left in elevation.

I will now proceed to describe the lamp, and in connection with such description specify those portions thereof which are of my present invention. v

A indicates the outer globe, of glass, suitably supported and here connected to a ring A2 by screws A3, screwed through the ring and into the groove in the neck of the globe in the common mode of connecting hanging-v lamp shades to their supports. This ring A2 is provided at intervals with studs A4, projecting from its periphery, and the studs are respectively received into inclined slots B2 into a ring B and locked therein by a latch B3. The ring B constitutes a part of the frame of the lamp.

Vithin the outer globe A is the inner globe O, and this is duly supported from below on the seat C2 within the raised edge O3. Up from this seat O5 projects the lower-carbon holder D, consisting of a tube split vertically into sections or fingers D2 each of which is elastic.' This holder may be connected direc-tl y to the seat O2, but preferably, as shown, is seated in a thumb-screw D3 and secured therein by a screw D4. The thumb-screw D3 is screwed from below upwardlyinto the seat, the holder D extending up through the seat C2, as shown. Upon the upper end of this globe rests a top piece C8, whose outer downwardly-projecting ilange C9 overlaps the upper edge of the globe. This top piece slides on vertical guide-posts C10. It is prevented from slipping off these posts by the broad stops O12, respectively located at the bottom of these posts O and beneath the top piece O8. In adjusting the globe O in position the lower carbon is removed and the open top of the globe is passed beneath the lower end of the uppercarbon, so that the latter enters the open upper end of the globe. This upper end is next passed up and fitted within the flange C9 and the globe and iiange raised until the lower edge of the globe can be brought over the lower seat C2 and dropped down within the flange O3 of seat C2. Thereafter when the carbons are to be renewed this globe O need not be removed from the lamp. It will be sufficient to raise it, and the ,carbons can then be renewed, after which the globe with top C8 can be dropped and will. then be secured in place. The upper end of each post C10 is rigidly connected to the frame-viz., here to the bottom piece E2 of the cylindrical frame-piece E. In the central portion of the upper side of the top O8 is an annular recess O13, centrally located and adapted to receive the lower end of the carbon-holder P, hereinafter mentioned, and thus allow the carbon X to descend a little lower, and thus enable a little more of the carbon to be utilized.

The seat O2 is connected to a drop-bracket preferably made in two parts C* and O5. The part C* is the one which carries the seat C2, and the part C5 is secured at its upper end to the frame-viz., to the bottom E2 of the cylindrical piece E-by being extended up through this bottom E2 and there secured by a nut C(i and a lock-nut OT. It will be linderstood that the bracket-piece C5 and the nuts ICO C C7 are all duly insulated from the framepiece E, inasmuch as the latter is made, preferably, of metal. Upon the cylindrical frame E, I arrange rheostatie apparatus substantially as follows: Spiral coils E2, of wire, extend around the frame-piece, substantially as shown, and are connected together at one end. The other ends of these coils are respectively connected the one to the contact C C7 and the other to the contact F of the electric line (circuit) which passes through the lamp. The coils E2 are duly clamped to the frame-piece E, preferably by clamps, as E, arranged to engage both of the coils E2 and in turn be fastened to the frame-piece E by a set-screw E5. The clamps andthe coils are duly insulated from one another and from the frame-piece E. The resistance of the rheostat can be diminished in the degree desired by connecting the coils E2 at the desired distance short of their length. The preferred means for thus regulating the resistance of the rheostat is preferably as 'follows: I provide a connector E7, which latter consists of a pair of clamps facing each other and fastened together by a screw or equivalent connection. By moving the connector nearer to or farther from the pointviz., where one coiled piece ends and the other begins-a greater or less amount of the resistive portion of the rheostat can be brought into use.

The frame-piece E is supported, preferably, by rigid pendent pieces, as F2, connected at their lower ends to the frame-piece and at their upperends to the lower end of the framepiece B, preferably by being screwed to the under side thereof. The frame-piece IS is connected to the bottom of the cylinder G, preferably by means of flanges B2, projecting upward and provided with a screw-thread engaging a screw-tln-ead on the cylinder G. The upper end of the cylinder G is connected to a top piece H, by which it is supported, and to this end the latter is provided with a downwardly-extending flange H2, having a screw-thread engaging a screw-thread of the cylinder G. This top piece Il carries lugs H3 H2, having an axle H4, on which latter is a support H5 in the shape of a pulley and made,

preferably, of porcelain or other material which is a non-conductorof electricity. The support H5 receives a cord ll, one end of which is duly attached above, and it is by this cord that the lamp is supported and lowered when it is to be supplied with carbons and elevated to be used. This top piece ll is provided at its periphery with a downwardlyprojecting flange H7, whose function is to protect the upper portion of the lamp from the rain and snow and descending dust. At a distance from the top of the lamp and embracing the tube Gis the magnet-coil l. The latter is contained within a cylinder J, having a bottom flange J2, extending to the tube G. This flange J2 is in turn provided at its inner edge with a vertical flange J2, extending down and passing within the upper portion of a tube or cylinder K, extending from the flange J2 to the frame-piece B, the lower end of the tube K passing just outside of the annular flange B2 aforementioned. Thus it will be observed that the flange B2 performs two functions-viz., to connect frame B with cylinder G and to hold tube or cylinder K in place. Upon the upper end of the cylinder J is fitted a cap J1, having a peripheral downwardly-extending flange Jl". This flange J5 protects the junction of cap JA1 and of cylinder J and also enables the cap to be readily attached to the cylinder-viz., by means of set-screws J, screwed through the cap and into the cylinder. The cap JL has an annular flange J7, having a screw-thread, which latter engages a screw-thread on the inside of the lower end of the tube or cylinder L, which latter extends from cap Jl to the under side of cap H and forms a protection for a portion of the lamp. lt will be observed that the frame-piece B supports cylinder i, in turn upholding cylinder J and its contents, the latter cylinder J in turn upholding the cylinder L. A device for regulating the descent of the upper carbon X and for causing this carbon to be automatically fed to place, so as to continually make the desired light, is present and is as follows: Mis a cage or box whose sides incline downward and upward. Vithin this box are several balls M2, preferably four. The lower end of the box has a central aperture large enough to receive the tube M3, whose lower end is fixed in the bottom E2 of the frame E. This tube M2 is of a diameter great enough to easily allow the upper carbon X to readily pass through it, and this tube M2 is sufficiently high, so that when the box M has descended to or nearly to frame-piece E the upper end of tube M3 is located so high in the box as to have rolled the balls a little way up the adjacent inclined walls of the box and have pushed them away from the carbon X, passing down through the box. The upper end of the box is concentrically connected to the lower end of a tube O, whose upper end is connected to a piston N, the latter working substantially air-tight in the upper portion of the tube O. The piston has peripheral flanges, one at each end thereof, as shown, and between these is located a packing O2, which latter bears against the inner side of the tube G and causes the piston to work air-tight in this tube. Within the tube O is an elastic carbonholder l), whose lower end is composed of elastic fingers P2 P2 P2, adapted to press upon and hold the carbon inserted between them, and whose upper end has elastic ribs P2 P2 P2, bowed out from the body of the holder and pressing against the inner side of the tube M2 when the holder is within the tube. These fingers or ribs P2 expanding conduct without resistance or arcing the flow of current from the tube to the upper-carbon holder l). By

slightly bending the ribs P3 (which bending IOS IIO

IZO

can be easily done) the amountof resistance which these make to a longitudinal impulse in either direction can be regulated. This carbon-holder is in practice preferably made of two portions of metal (brass or copper)- viz., of a central solid stem P3, contained in a tube, and in the latter are formed the elas- The electric circuit of the lamp is as follows: The electric current enters on the insulated circuit-wire V4, and thence through contact Viaud thence by tube G to frame B, and thence to insulated circuit-wire V3, and thence it passes to box M, and thence to tube O. Thence it passes through holder P3 P and through carbon X and through the arc to carbon Y. From the latter it passes through seat C2 and then through the bracket C'1 C5 to contact C, From here it passes through the rheostat to the contact F. From the contact F it passes through the insulated circuit-wire V2 to the coil I and through the latter to theinsulated circuit-wire V, whereby it leaves the lamp.

For the more perfect protection of the insulated wire V2 a tube B4 is present, extending from cylinder J to the frame-piece B. Within this tube the wire V2 passes.

The operation of my lamp when in circuit is as follows: The electric current magnetizes the coil I and causes thev tube S, now rendered a magnetic core, to rise, and thus separate the carbons X and Y and create an arc.'

The capacity of the magnet to raise the core and separate the carbons will in general depend upon the distance the adjacent ends of the carbons are separated; but at this point of the operation the reader is to note that I have provided a means, whereby the current remaining the same as to intensity and force, the distance the carbons will remain apart can be regulated by means of the adjustment of the tube R and the core S on the tube R. For example, if I set the tube R and core S higher on the tube O the distance between the adjacent ends of the carbons will'be increased, and if I set lthe tube and core lower on the tube then the arc will be shortened. A more detailed illustrative description of this feature is as follows: By manipulating the set-screws R2 and by sliding the core S and resetting the screws the core is adjusted to a desired height on the tube, and its position is thus changed relatively to the magnetcoil I. The amount of electric force conveyed to the carbons X and Y can thus be altered and the force economi'zed at will and the amount of light be also varied.

It may readily be seen by referring to the drawings that the shifting of the iron corebrings the latter into position where the magnetic induence isv greater or less proportionately to the relative position of the core. For illustration, when the core S is lowered on tube O the length of the magnetic air-gap between the top of iron core S and the magnetic yoke-viz., the part J 4--would be the greatest. Hence the magnetic inliuence exerted on the core would be weakest, and the length of the arc established would necessarily become shorter and would allow a greater amount ot' current to flow through the arc, owing to the decreased resistance offered at the arc proper. By shifting the iron tube or core a step higher the magnetic influence exerted on the core would be greater, due to the core passing into a denser magnetic field, and would necessarily drawa longer arc, and the resistance being increased at the arc a less amount of current would ilow through the arc, and by elevating the core still a third step higher the core would in like manner enter a magnetic eld of still greater density, in like proportion diminishing still further the consumption ot' energy at the arc. The candle-power would necessarily be more or less, and consumption of energy more or less, according to the relative position of the core in the magnetic field.

I have made several very important improvements in arc-lamps, for which improvements applications for patents have been made.

My invention relates to the peculiar construction in mechanism enabling the arc to be balanced on the line-voltage with one series coil of wire, the lamp being connected singly directly across direct-current constantpotential lines and the arc being surrounded with an inclosing globe, which practically prevents the egress or free circulation of fresh air. At the same time the heat developed at the arc inclosed with an inner globe sets up an outward pressure far in excess of the atmospheric pressure, causing the arc to be maintained in a partial vacuum or gaseous vapor. By this method of construction the arc can be maintained on one-hundred to onehundred-and-ten volt constant-potential circuits ranging from one-fourth inch to onehalf inch long and the lamp taking in consumption from three amperes to ive amperes and producing from twelve-hundred to twothousand so-called commercial candle power. My lamp will also operate singly when connected directly across direct-current constant-potential two-hundred to two-hundredand-fty volt circuits and with the same arcinclosing globe device is enabled to maintain successfully an arc ranging from one-half to one and one-eighth inches in length and taking not more than from one and seven-tenths amperes to two and one-half amperes and IOO IOS

IIO

IZO

li etaee producing from twelve-hundred to two-thousand commercial candle power. The length of arc as described in the one-hundred-andten-volt and two-hundred -and twenty-volt lamps could not be maintained without eX- cessive iiaming at the arc, which would produce a very unsatisfactory quality of light if it Were not for the inclosing globe, which prevents the free circulation of air.

The life of the carbons when the arc is inclosed by a globe preventing the free circulation ot' air is multiplied from ten to fteen times, dueto imperfect combustion. Thelifegiving properties of the arc within an inclosing globe are far superior to the arc when exposed to the open air.

I have by continuing on the same line of research as outlined above invented certain improvements which are the subject of my present application for Letters Patent and wherebyin. mylamp I am enabled to produce an arc of from one and one-half inches to three inches long when the lamp is connected singly in multiple directly across four-hundred to ve-hundred-and-iifty volt direct-current constant-potential circuits. While the light-giving properties of the arc are somewhat diminished, due to the very excessive length of the arc proper, these last-named improvements open up an entirely new avenue to consumers and are of untold value in electrical products from a commercial standpoint, enabling operators of street-railroads, as well as those supplying current otl five hundred volts for power service, to successfully maintain on such circuits arc-lamps connected singly across tive-hundred-volt lines. I do claim to be the first to produce a commercial lamp as described.

The construction of this lamp is similar in some of its features to that oit the lamp described and covered by the claims set 'forth in the application iiled November 29, 1897. Among other differences it is to be noted that the magnetic lines, as well as the solenoidmagnet producing same, are elongated, so as to produce and maintain a longer arc for operating in harmony with a higher voltage on the lines as described. In other words, one of the purposes of my general arrangement of the solenoid-coil in connection with the magnetic shield and the iron armature is to produce a very long arc, and such result is accomplished by my arrangement.

Vh'at I claim as new and of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In an arc-lamp, the combination of the solenoid-magnet, slidable core, and the carbon-holder, means for feeding down automatically the upper carbon, and the inner globe inclosing the carbons Where they produce the arc-light, and an outer globe surrounding the inner globe, and a rheostat contained within the outer globe and located below the solenoid-magnet and core, and above the arc, between the carb-ons, substantially as and Vfor the purposes specified.

2. The combination of the solenoid-magnet I, cap J", tube G, frame-piece B, interior piston N carrying tube O, embracing the slidable carbon-holder P and the core S, embracing the tube O, and the tube R, supporting tube 0, and set-screw for setting tube R at a desired place on tube O, the core being located relatively to the solenoid-magnet, substantially as shown, and the box M, supported by the slidable core, and containing means in connection with the stationary tube M for releasing its hold upon the carbon, and regaining it as the core shifts, substantially as and for the purposes specilied.

3. The combination of the solenoid-magnet I, cap J, tube G, trame-piece B, interior piston N carrying tube O, embracing the slidable carbon-holder P and the core S, embracing the tube O, and the tube R, supporting tube O, and set-screw for setting tube R at a desired place on tube O, the core being located relatively to the solenoid-magnet, substantially as shown, and the box M, supported by the slidable core, and containing means in connection with the stationary tube MS for releasing its hold upon the carbon, and regaining it as the core shifts, and the frame B, supported on tube G, and frame E, El, supported by frame B, and carrying the tube M3, substantially as and for the purposes specilied.

it. The combination ofthe solenoid-magnet l, cap J4, tube G, frame-piece B, interior piston N carrying tube O, embracing the slidable carbon-holder and the core S, embracing the tube O, and the tube R, supporting tube O, and sot-screw for setting tube R at a desired place on tube O, the core being located relatively to the solenoid-magnet, substantially as shown, and the box M, supported by the slidablercore, and containing means in connection with the stationary tube M3 for releasing its hold upon the carbon and regaining it as the core shifts, and the frame B, supported on tube O, and frame E, Ei, supported by frame B, and carrying the tube M, and a rheostat supported by frame E, and encircling the carbon at that point, viz: below the core and the magnet, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. The combination of the solenoid-magnet I, cap J", tube G, frame-piece B, interior piston ll carrying tube O, embracing the slidable carbon-holder P and the core S, embracing the tube O, and the tube R, supporting tube O, and set-screw for setting tube R at a desired place on tube O, the corc being located relatively to the solenoid-magnet, substantially as shown, and the box M, supported by the slidable core, and containing means in connection with the stationary tube M:3 for releasing its hold upon the carbon and regaining it as the core shifts, and the frame B, supported on tube O, and 'frame E, E2, supported by frame B, and carrying the tube M3, and a rheostat supported by frame E, andencircling the carbon at that point, viz: below IIO the Core and the magnet, and a set-sorew T in frame B above the box M, and in the path of the same, substantial] y as and for the purposes specified.

6. In an electric-aro lamp, an inner globe inelosing the are -light electrodes, and an outer globe inelosing the inner globe, a rheostat located within the outer globe, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. In an electric-are lamp, an inner globe inelosing the are -light electrodes, and an outer globe inelosin g this inner globe, a frame located below the solenoid-magnet, and at its upper end carrying a solenoid-magnet, and having a drop-bracket Carrying the lower carbon, the frame and rheostat and drop-bracket located outside of the inner globe and Within the outer globe, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

JOHN S. NOWOTNY.

Attest:

H. E. ENGELI-IARDT, R. SMITH. 

